Stars React to David Bowie's Death

Bowie

Posted on January 01, 0001

As befits a musician whose work had influenced generations of artists for four decades, social media is full of reactions to the death of David Bowie, who passed away from cancer at the age of 69. The wide range of celebrities mourning his passing speaks to his influence:

Paul McCartney posted a statement on his website: "Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning. David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world. "I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever."

Madonna, who accepted Bowie's Rock Hall of Fame award on his behalf, posted a photo of her and Bowie together in their younger days. "So lucky to have met you!!!! Hot Tramp I love you So!" she wrote, quoting a line from Bowie's classic "Rebel Rebel." On Twitter, she wrote, "Talented . Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever!" She added, "Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit! R.IP"

One of Bowie's most memorable tunes was "Under Pressure," a 1982 collaboration with Queen. Two of that band's surviving members offered their own tributes to Bowie. Drummer Roger Taylor called David the "cleverest and most interestingly brilliant man of our time. What a vacuum he leaves, and how he will be missed." Guitarist Brian May added: "David Bowie gone. He was a fearsome talent, and the loss to Music and Culture from his passing is inestimable. In and out of our lives, always challenging and innovative, and … shocking. Sincere condolences to his family. But what a life. All hail, David Bowie, Star Man, Hero. RIP."

The Rolling Stones: "The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie. As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original."

Iggy Pop: "David’s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is."

Jimmy Page: "Bowie was an innovator, a unique artist with a vision that changed the face of popular music. He is greatly missed."

Peter Gabriel: "I was shocked to learn of David Bowie's death this morning. He meant so much to me and to so many. He was a one-off, a brilliant outlier, always exploring, challenging and inspiring anyone who wanted to push the boundaries of music, art, fashion and society. There are so few artists who can touch a generation as he did, we will miss him badly. Long Live Lazarus."

Yoko Ono: "John and David respected each other. They were well matched in intellect and talent. As John & I had very few friends, we felt David was as close as family. After John died, David was there for Sean and me. When Sean was in boarding school in Switzerland, David would pick him up and take him on trips to museums and let Sean hang out at his recording studio in Geneva. For Sean this is losing another father figure. It will be hard for him, I know. But we have some sweet memories which will stay with us forever."

Brian Eno: "David's death came as a complete surprise, as did nearly everything else about him. I feel a huge gap now. We knew each other for over 40 years, in a friendship that was always tinged by echoes of [British comedy duo Peter Cook and Dudley Moore]. Over the last few years -- with him living in New York and me in London -- our connection was by email…I received an email from him seven days ago…It was as funny as always, and as surreal, looping through word games and allusions and all the usual stuff we did. It ended with this sentence: [']thank you for our good times, brian. they will never rot['] and it was signed dawn I realise now he was saying goodbye."

Rick Wakeman: "As I'm sure you can imagine I'm gutted hearing of David's passing. He was the biggest influence & encouragement I could ever have wished for."

Longtime Bowie guitarist Earl Slick: "First and foremost, to Iman, Duncan and Lexi my heart goes out to you. To the man that had given me so much over the last 40 years i am beyond words at the moment. good bye David. sleep tight my friend."

Gene Simmons of Kiss: "David Bowie, you will be sorely missed. Bowie's 'Changes' and the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me."

Bono of U2 posted a lyric from Bowie's "Space Oddity" -- "Planet Earth is blue" -- on Facebook and a photo of himself kissing Bowie on the cheek.

The Rolling Stones: "The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie. As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original."

Paul McCartney: “Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning. David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history, and I’m proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world. I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever."

Ringo Starr: “God bless David Bowie. Peace and love to all his family.”

Mick Jagger: “David was always an inspiration to me and a true original. He was wonderfully shameless in his work. We had so many good times together… He was my friend. I will never forget him.”

Elton John: "I am still in shock. Never saw it coming. My deepest condolences to Iman and the family. An amazing life. An amazing career."

Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins: “When a true star blinks out, the sky looks different, and never feels the same.”

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden tweeted, "140 characters will not suffice (nor would 10,000 words) #DavidBowie we love you and we will miss you..." and linked to a YouTube video of him covering Bowie's "Lady Stardust." [http://bit.ly/1Q0zWQz]

Ozzy Osbourne: "I just can't believe it. I am in total shock about David Bowie's passing. It's crazy. Never in a million years did I think that we would lose such an amazing guy so young. I guess I thought he would live forever. I'm at a loss for words right now. Wow."

Slash of Guns N' Roses: "There aren't words enough to express the feeling of loss in this moment. RIP David. You will be missed beyond measure."

Kanye West: "David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative. He gave us magic for a lifetime."

Stone Temple Pilots: "We love you David. Always have and always will. Thank you deeply for all that you gave us. Tell our Scott we love him very much."

Rod Stewart: "Undeniably the fearless leader of the pack. David was the groundbreaking chameleon who impacted us all. Such a colossal loss."

Eric Clapton: “Sweet dreams, old sock."

Mariah Carey: "David Bowie, we will remember your brilliance. Heartfelt condolences to family, friends and fans around the world."

Gene Simmons: “David Bowie, you will be sorely missed. ‘Changes’ and the Ziggy story songs were a major influence for me. He will be sorely missed.”

Joe Walsh: “David, thanks for showing us all how to do it. Rest in peace.”

Brian May of Queen: “I woke up late, after a long night, to shocking news. David Bowie gone. I don’t know if I can react immediately. He was a fearsome talent, and the loss to music and culture from his passing is inestimable. In and out of our lives, always challenging and innovative, and…shocking. But this news is hard to take in. I had no idea he was close to death. Would like to have said something… Very sad. Sincere condolences to his family. But what a life. All hail, David Bowie, Star Man, Hero. RIP.”

Pharrell Williams: "David Bowie was a true innovator, a true creative. May he rest in peace."

Hozier: "Unthinkable. The world has lost one of the most important artists and icons of our time. I was moved immeasurably by David Bowie. RIP."

Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine: "David Bowie was a huge influence on me throughout my life. The original star-man returned to the stars... Thank you for everything you brought us. RIP, David Bowie."

Cat Stevens: "He has left us for another world, beyond the darkness of this present one vividly so depicted in the shadows of his last video. I truly pray he's welcomed to the light by his Maker in that great today, which has no tomorrow."

John Oates of Hall and Oates: "With the passing of David Bowie, the world has lost a true artist in every respect: uniquely original, ever expanding and exploring... Daryl and I played with him in 1973 on his first U.S. tour. Off stage he always struck me as warm and engaging. His creativity and musical legacy will live forever."

Longtime Bowie producer and collaborator Tony Visconti: "His death was no different from his life -- a work of art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us."

British Prime Minister David Cameron: "Genius is an over-used word, but I think musically, creatively, artistically, David Bowie was a genius. For someone of my age, he provided a lot of the soundtrack of our lives."

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair: "From the time I saw his Ziggy Stardust concert as a student, I thought he was a brilliant artist and an exciting and interesting human being."

Mark Ruffalo: "Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always."

Jack Antonoff of fun.: "deeply sad to hear about david bowie / his work means more to me than I can express. what incredible things he did that last forever."

Elijah Wood: "Never imagined a world without him. He has ascended into the cosmos from whence he came. Farewell, David Bowie."

Adam Lambert: "Bowie was one of the bravest artists of the century. A true Icon. He is the first and foremost Glam Rockstar. Rebel Rebel, Life On Mars, Lady Grinning Soul....."

Director Paul Feig: "Absolutely devastated by the death of Bowie. Cannot process this. At this point, the world makes no sense. RIP David. You were a genius.."

Peter Mayhew, Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies: "A hero has fallen.He will never be forgotten. Please allow his family time to grieve. RIP DavidBowie."

Travis Barker: "2016 is off to a bad start. Another one of my musical idols gone, may his legacy live on forever #RIPDAVIDBOWIE "I DONT KNOW WHERE I'M GOING FROM HERE, BUT I PROMISE IT WON'T BE BORING" -DAVID BOWIE."

Anderson Cooper: "Find it hard to believe David Bowie has died. What an incredible life."

Foo Fighters tweeted a photo of Dave Grohl with, among others, Bowie, Billy Corgan and Robert Smith of The Cure, and wrote, "Rest in peace, David."

"Weird Al" Yankovic: "I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me - I was not ready for this. RIP Bowie."

Chart-topping songwriter Diane Warren: "Oh my God not David Bowie...I don't want to hear about the stupid fashion at the Golden Globes who gives a f**k I want to play David Bowie records. Unreal."

Val Kilmer wrote on Facebook, "The last time I saw David Bowie was in Brooklyn, with some very very lucky people who got to hear Lou Reed play his dark glory, BERLIN, live. He was sitting directly in front of me with Lou's wife, Laurie Anderson...When we said hello he turned and I recognized him instantly. Instead of saying hello, I just started petting his shoulders. I can't describe it any more accurately. He was just so special it was the only way I seemed to be able to express my joy. I haven't petted that many men in my life. I'm so glad I got to do that. And more importantly, that he let me. He just smiled as I apologized for petting him. He seemed to not only understand, but accept the strange offering of gratitude and recognition....we all wanted to be as cool as David. Even Lou. He was always, always the coolest guy in the room. And he was a master singer - song writer. God bless David Bowie."

One of the people from whom we've not yet heard is Bowie's first wife, Angie Bowie, whom he divorced in 1980 after ten years of marriage and one child, son Duncan Jones. Turns out, Angie Bowie, 66, didn't know her ex has died -- she's a contestant on the U.K.'s Big Brother TV show, and as such isn't allowed outside access. Producers Monday morning wrote on the show's website: "Following the very sad news of David Bowie's death, we can now confirm that Angie Bowie has been informed off camera by her representatives. She has taken the decision to continue in the programme. The decision to remain in the House is entirely her choice, and she has been given the option to leave at any time if she changes her mind. Appropriate support will be available to Angie at any time if needed." Chances of that may be slim: Angie Bowie's previously admitted she hasn't seen Bowie since their divorce.

The official Twitter feed of the late Bing Crosby, with whom Bowie duetted on the holiday favorite "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy," acknowledged his death, writing, "Peace on earth…" Remembering David Bowie - Godspeed," and posting the video they did for the song.